Aldridge's refusal did not surprise Aldrich, who was silent for a moment before nodding in understanding.

It's not some maverick personality behavior.

The player has a strong sense of self-esteem, not to mention the honourable Southgate, who was in the same situation as Blackburn Rovers when David Barty refused to receive a trophy after missing most of the league season when Blackburn won the Premier League.

It's nothing more than not wanting to keep the past season in memory with the image of a "mixed champion".

Aldridge just wanted to avoid Southgate's embarrassment at the award ceremony, after all, the first team basically except for the third goalkeeper, the other players have championship medals, Southgate doesn't want it, this captain will inevitably be lonely when the time comes.

It was getting late, and the two were almost circling the park, when Southgate suddenly stopped, stared at Aldridge calmly, and said softly, "Boss, I'm ready to retire at the end of this season." ”

He calmly told Aldridge about his decision, and Aldrich frowned and replied: "I think you should think about it again, Gareth, there is no cheating or concealment between us, now we will talk openly and honestly, yes, your level of competition has dropped very significantly after a serious injury, you must have decided to hang up your boots because you thought you would not be able to play for the team, but I think that a player like you who is highly respected in the dressing room can help the team in other ways. Even a few words of experience can be a great help to some of the young players in the squad and I want you to stay for another season. ”

Southgate shook his head. Still said in a light voice: "Boss." If things were in the last season. I would have chosen to stay, but this season, we have been challenged by a strong opponent like Chelsea in the league, but the team has been able to defend the title without me, chief, at this point. I think we have different opinions, like Cristiano, Thiago, Xavi and so on, these young players, they are not ordinary players, they have super strong psychological elements, they grow much faster than ordinary players, and in the past two years, the ups and downs have also withstood the test, they don't need an old captain who relies on the old to talk in their ears. They need to show themselves, they need to be on their own. True, thorough, become the backbone of the mad lion! So, I thought it was time to leave. ”

Aldridge stared into Southgate's calm, serious eyes, and in fact, Southgate was right.

Before they won the honor with their own hands, most of the young players would clamp their tails and listen to the pure teachings of their predecessors, but in the past two seasons, last season was a double champion, and this season has defended the league, which has further improved their self-confidence, saying that they are young and age, but in terms of mentality, they must have become a completely independent "character".

Aldrich actually understands these truths.

The reason why he wants to keep Southgate may be just a kind of attachment between master and apprentice.

Aldridge brought Gareth Southgate from Crystal Palace to the Lions' Den 11 years ago.

That was the first player he signed.

After 11 years of wind and rain and rainbows, this master-apprentice relationship on the green field has finally reached the moment of fate.

How can he be free and let go?

Moreover, Southgate did not end a glorious moment, but more like a quiet retreat, which made Aldridge very uncomfortable.

His first captain, who had dedicated his youth and loyalty to the team, how could he not have done everything he could to give Southgate a more respectable curtain call?

But reality is so unforgiving.

Aldridge is not a person who twists his mother-in-law, and since Southgate has made up his mind, he can no longer make any more decisions.

He stepped forward and gave Southgate a gentle hug, let go and smiled, "Okay, then I'll prepare a retirement farewell match for you." ”

Southgate smiled and shook his head: "It doesn't have to be like this, I'm just an ordinary player, and I don't deserve to play a retirement game." ”

Aldridge shook his head and said: "No, this is your selfishness, you are leaving, you have to say goodbye to everyone after all, and the fans will not agree." Say, do you have any wishes? ”

Southgate's eyes wandered with a look of reminiscence, and he muttered, "The memories of the past 11 years are starting to blur a little, but I always want to see my old friends again." ”

"Okay, then at your retirement match, invite all the former people back, as well as the England national team, I will come forward, don't worry, it will be very lively then."

As he walked out of the park, Aldrich asked him again, "Have you ever thought about what you will do after you retire?" If you still want to develop in football and become a coach, why not stay at Millwall, or be the head of athletic affairs in the team? There are many retired celebrities who like to write columns or be guest commentators, what about you? ”

Southgate laughed and said, "I don't have an idea yet, but I think I'm sure I'm not going to be unemployed, just like you said, and at the very least, I can also be a guest commentator." ”

"Okay, no matter what you want to do, I support you, when you have a decision, tell me, don't see outside, there is something I can help with, in a word."

Southgate smiled and nodded.

The two returned to Aldridge's house, who watched Southgate drive away.

In fact, what Southgate does after retirement, there is no need to consider the issue of income, although the past 11 years, is not the prime time for the income of modern football professional players, but through the accumulation of wealth in the past 11 years, there is agent Andrew to help manage money, plus Southgate and his teammates have made some small investments, over the years, the rate of return is very considerable, and it can be used for long-term investment, so what he does after retirement, is to choose and face with a relaxed mind, or a simple enthusiasm to invest in a new career.

On May 15, the Premier League finale.

In this year's Premier League finale, there is no suspense for the top four teams.

Champion, Millwall.

Runners-up, Chelsea.

Champions League qualification, Manchester United and Arsenal.

However, the relegation shape at the end of the list still has zài suspense.

The hapless West Brom side come home to Millwall in the final round and they will have to win to secure a landing and a loss or draw will likely result in relegation.

Also in the relegation battle are Crystal Palace and Norwich.

At the pre-match press conference, Aldridge brought Southgate to attend, and Southgate became the protagonist, announcing that he would hang up his boots and retire at the end of the season!

At the end of the press conference, all the reporters present on Fleet Street stood up and applauded Southgate.

He is the captain of England to win the World Cup for the second time!

I believe that on the day of Xiaobei's retirement, he will also receive high-level praise and tribute, because the championship trophy of the European Cup was won by Xiaobei as the captain.

By the day of the finale, almost all of the major media headlines on Fleet Street were about Southgate.

Greatness, legend, feats, and more to illustrate Southgate's contribution to Millwall and the England national team.

There is a look at Southgate's legendary trajectory during his 11 years at Millwall.

There is a compilation of Southgate's highlight representative games.

It has also summed up Southgate's legendary journey from a sinner to a hero captain in the England national team, and even retired from the national team with a serious injury at the European Championship, and then led to the retirement of Zhanì when he was not yet 35 years old, all of which have been praised as the passionate spirit of a typical English player who fought bloodily.

The market for relegation teams is definitely narrow, so when the news of Southgate's retirement dominates the headlines, no one cares what the fate of the relegation team will be.

"The Times" analysis is correct: in Southgate's current state, it is difficult for Sir Hall to list him as a starter in the Champions League final, of course, if the Champions League final trend is relatively smooth, Millwall can ensure the championship, then, Southgate will appear as a substitute in the Champions League final, as his farewell to the green field, but the Champions League final is unpredictable, only the league finale is irrelevant to the overall situation, this game, no accident, It will be Gareth Southgate's last start for Millwall in a competitive game!

When Millwall arrived at West Bromwich Albion's Hawthorn Stadium, the home team was very depressed, not only the fans, but also the players.

They're going to be relegated!

However, there are many, many away fans in the stands, even if the price of scalping is high, there are still many Lions fans who have to come to watch the game after being slaughtered, and even many Lions fans are sitting in the middle of the home team fans, but they can't make them timid, and still hold up slogans in the stands to bless Southgate.

At Hawthorn Stadium, the Wild Lions fans in the stands held up shirts with Southgate's jersey numbers and slogans praising him and blessings him.

The fan group has been singing about their love and blessings for Southgate since before the kick-off.

West Brom coach is Aldridge's old friend, 11 years ago when he just stepped into the field to become a manager, in the competition at that time, the current West Brom coach is Middlesbrough, is Aldridge's main opponent in the fight for promotion to the Premier League, although at the time no one thought so, but later, Millwall beat Middlesbrough to win the League One title and rushed directly into the Premier League.

This old man is Brian Robson.

Robson took over West Brom in November last year and had a dismal record, taking two months to win their first Premier League game, West Brom have been struggling in the relegation spiral and are now in the final game, with West Brom still in the relegation zone.

Brian Robson shook Aldridge's hand warmly before the game began, and took the initiative to exchange a few words with Gareth Southgate, who wore the captain's armband today, in the tunnel tunnel.

It's just that when the game is about to start, Robson's expression changes, trying his best to hide the bitterness in his heart. (To be continued......)